Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Mountain man: A trip with no limits

While
the ranch itself had been a truly unique and clarifying experience to
me, I was enticed by the stories I heard from those who came back
from their pack trips. The array of stories that detailed the arduous
yet exhilarating experience of these said trips made me want to
immediately go for it. By making it clear to the ranch staff I was
eager to participate in such a trip I found myself enlisted for an
upcoming trip to Brett Camp in the mountains. I was told I would be
participating in a late season trip yet at the same time informed of
the challenges I would face. Rather than deter me, I grasped the
opportunity even more tightly! Here at the ranch I've seen that
challenging oneself is an opportunity to develop so I knew this would
be perfect.

I was tasked
with collecting the listed supplies that would then be escorted up
the mountain by horse to the camp. This itself was a significant
responsibility, being entrusted with gathering the essential supplies
for camp survival. Once I completed this task I soon found myself
being driven towards my destination. I was on my way to the start of
an adventure without fully knowing what to expect.

Upon my arrival
I was left alone to saddle the horses. Having saddled a horse before
I was confident I could do this without guidance. I was unfortunately
proven wrong but rather than feel demoralised I instead understood
how important it is to be fully acquainted with such procedures.
Being prepared was my first lesson on my trip.

Afterwards,
while my guide mounted his horse and the pack horse trailed behind I
found myself taking the horse by the tail, told I was to walk up. I
was initially surprised, knowing the journey would be quite a hike.
However, being at the ranch embedded in my mind this approach: There
are no limits. I can keep challenging myself and only continue to
grow. Limits were not an option. While we made our ascent up the
mountain path I was stunned by the surrounding forest as the early
afternoon sunlight pierced through the trees. This alongside the
sounds of nearby rivers echoing and the wind whistling over the
mountainside filled me with a sense of wonder and amazement. I was an
experienced hiker prior to my time at the ranch but this itself was
unlike anything I'd done before.

Throughout the
hike my body began to ache but I kept going, determined not to accept
limits. This however was merely a preview of the psychical, mental
and spiritual trials I would face on my pack trip.

Brett Camp is a
cosy cabin quite literally alone in the mountains. Made entirely of
logs and located in the middle of nowhere, I was even more eager to
begin my mountain adventure. This small cabin would be my home for
the next few days and without any of the "contemporary"
essentials such as wifi or electricity. That fact alone compelled me
to dive straight in. This was going to be a unique experience that
took me straight out of my comfort zone. This made it a worthy
challenge indeed.

After unloading
and staking the horses I found myself fascinated by the scenery for
the second time that day. However, this was beyond what I had
experienced mere moments before. I was treated with a fantastic view
of the nearby mountains and forests below, the snow covering their
peaks while the evening light began to fade away. I have seen many
incredible views in my travels but this was truly marvellous. I was
here in the mountains in a small log cabin gazing at mountains. This
alone made me grateful to be here, to be allowed to have such an
experience. But I knew at the time that views were not the only thing
that would amaze me on this pack trip.

After a pleasant
night's sleep I awoke to prepare breakfast, illuminated only by the
light of a gaslight. This combined with the fact I was cooking on a
wood-burning stove made cooking breakfast an entirely different task.
I was slightly unnerved at first, knowing how important breakfast
would be and not wanting to ruin it. However, I worked with what I
had and surprised myself. Breakfast was a success.

Once
the guest was prepared to leave alongside 'Chilcotin Holiday's' two
guides, I knew that I would be alone soon. Yes, I was to remain at
the cabin in the middle of nowhere alone for two entire days. My
survival was well and truly in my hands. I was both terrified and
excited by this prospect, this would be one of the biggest challenges
of my life. I knew this trip was going to be a challenge but this was
truly something. But nevertheless, I was ready for it and determined
to embrace the challenge! This was the adventure I came to Canada
for.

Left with a list
of duties including collecting wood and maintaining the cabin, my
peers departed and I was truly alone. I stood outside in the snow for
a few moments after that and reflected on the reality of my
circumstances. Not a sound could be heard. Pure silence was all there
was. Thick snow lay in every direction as did the trees and
hillsides. This was remarkable indeed. I was going to survive this
and experience something that to me was amazing.

Over
the first few hours I immediately set to completing my assigned
tasks, knowing from my time at the ranch how important it was to do
so. Once this was done I then went to collect water. The water for
the Camp comes from the nearby river, itself running through a
clearing. While walking to the river I was again taken aback by the
scenery and the almost chilling silence. This was amazing indeed.
After I collected the water I returned to camp and found myself
working to pass the time.

As
time went on I interchanged between maintaining the cabin to
exploring my surroundings. The air grew colder and the fire was
dwindling. I was left instructions to ration the firewood so I knew I
had to be cautious in how much wood I used. This also meant I was
colder than I preferred to be, but again this was another challenge.
This was not the modern and safe lifestyle I was accustomed to. This
was a challenge and an adventure. I saw being cold as a way of
knowing this: do something about it and work hard. This is what I was
learning, that you make opportunities and it is all a matter of
attitude. Taking my trusty knife and a bucket I found the dry spots
underneath the trees and began to collect branches and twigs as
firewood. I had to survive and that meant being resourceful.
Challenge accepted and completed. By the evening as the daylight
ebbed away I was warmer than I had been at midday. I had found a way
and again passed by my limits.

For dinner,
wishing to preserve the supplies for when the guests returned, I
chose to instead opt for a simple cheese sandwich and granola bar.
This may seem excessive and while not completely satisfying, it was
all my body needed. Again, I was tested and had to adapt. Not even a
whole day in and this experience was testing me in every aspect of my
being. And I could not be more grateful for it. I saw that I was
stronger than I knew and could genuinely feel a sense of pride as I
grew as a person. Filled with this I retired for the night, slightly
apprehensive but excited and far more confident about the next day.

The
following day was a similar experience but that is not to dismiss it.
On the contrary, it was an equally clarifying, fascinating and
empowering experience. Completing my daily duties early again I left
the cabin and ventured upwards by following the river. Snowfall
during the night had deepened the snow and I was amazed at how deep
it was. Being from the midlands of England it was far from anything
I'd seen before. It was incredible but became insignificant compared
to what I saw seconds later.

Once I came to
my destination uphill I turned around and was left speechless and
utterly awestruck. Beautiful does not even begin to describe the
sight I was treated to. Before me was an array of mountains, their
summits standing out clearly against the clear blue sky as clouds
drifted over them. I found every detail of this snowy landscape a
truly magnificent view. I was in an extraordinary place here at Brett
Camp. I stood for what felt like hours entranced by the sight and
felt an almost overwhelming sense of peace and awe. This was why I
came to Canada. For adventure and to grow and develop as a person.
Seeing this view, knowing I'd made it up here and was surviving this
land confirmed to me I was right to come to Canada and Chilcotin
Holidays.

Afterwards I
again retired for the night after supper and survived the next day.
But throughout my stay I did indeed feel a sense of loneliness and
isolation, I was alone in the mountains after all. But rather than
regret the experience, I was pleased to be there. This was an
adventure and nothing would make me wish I had not done it.

When my
colleagues and the guests returned we remained in the cabin for
another night. The next day we finally departed the cabin and
although I felt a sense of relief knowing I'd return to the ranch, I
felt sad my adventure was seemingly over. How wrong I was. The return
journey was no walk in the park. It was a tremendous challenge both
physically and mentally for me, pushing me further in both fields
than ever before.

Again
I was to walk the trail and clung to the horse's tail all the way
along. Further snowfall had made the snow thicker and every step for
me was a challenge. While the horses, their riders atop them,
ploughed through the snow I trudged through it. Slipping many times
either by accident or from the growing numbness in legs I often
thought inside my head I was insane for coming here. For the first
time this trip I wondered if I'd made the right choice coming up
here. However, rather than cry out or give in I instead recalled
everything I had learnt and experienced: There are no limits. I had
to keep going because I would truly evolve as a person if I did, I
would accomplish something special to me. Despite falling many more
times I never stayed down, motivated to keep going by my companions.
During the hike through fields, up and downhill, across rivers and
along steep mountainside paths, I was never told "no you can't".
Instead I was constantly told "yes you can." This resonated
in me and so I found myself accomplishing what I would have thought
impossible for me mere months ago... I made it through the hike.

The descent down
the mountain was amazing as I watched the wintery landscape transform
into one much more suited to Autumn. At the base of the mountain and
on the road again at last, I aided in packing away all the equipment
and was soon in the back of a car returning to the ranch. My time and
adventure in Brett Camp had come to an end.

I was so proud
of myself, having made it back in such conditions and passing every
test I came by. Despite the physical onslaught, the trek through
snowfall and challenging environments, I had made it. It was true,
there are no limits. I was filled with an overwhelming sense of
accomplishment and pride. I had passed every challenge I came by and
more. I had seen such incredible things and experienced things unlike
anything I'd done before. But rather than jump for joy, not only
because I was exhausted, I smiled to myself.

The
people here at Chilcotin Holidays always encouraged me to grow and
develop. Pushing me and never pulling. The result... I made it
through the entire hike and became a mountain man. My lead guide told
me my "mountain man name" was Grizz. This made me smile
again. I never thought I'd be in such place.

My
stay at the ranch has been a unique and powerful experience but the
Brett Camp trip was the culmination of all I'd learnt here and more.
Focus, conviction and determination, these are three words I live by
and the ranch has truly allowed me to put them into practice. But
Brett Camp and all it encompassed is what well and truly tested me in
these three things and more. I am stronger and feel invincible, a
result of never accepting limits and instead going onwards. I will
take this lesson with me everywhere I go after the ranch. Brett Camp
was an extraordinary experience and I encourage anyone who comes to
the ranch to participate in a pack trip like my own.

It
won't be easy, safe or simple, but it will undoubtedly an adventure.

About Chilcotin Holidays

We are a licensed guide outfitter and we conduct guided wilderness adventures throughout our 5,000 square km operating area. This guide area has been operational since 1880, making it the oldest in British Columbia. More about us HERE.